Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.

As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.

The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.

Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.

Canadian Office of the American Federation of Musicians Announces Major Breakthrough Affecting Travelling Musicians

The Canadian Office of the American Federation of
Musicians (AFM) has announced a successful outcome in
its efforts to affect much-needed changes to Canada’s Air
Policy with regard to the transportation of musical instruments
on Canadian air carriers.

Effective July 15, Air Passenger Protection
Regulations within the Canadian Transportation Act will include language
that ensures that all air carriers must accept musical instruments
unless security or safety is an issue. These amendments will include
clear and predictable terms and conditions with regard to musical instruments,
as well as the obligation to carry and accept an instrument. Airlines also
will be required to offer an alternative to musicians travelling with
instruments should a change in aircraft cause an instrument not to fit.

“Over the years, we’ve seen far too many
professional musicians have very expensive, and often irreplaceable, tools of
their trade broken or destroyed during air travel,” says Alan Willaert,
AFM vice president from Canada. “We have worked closely with the
government of Canada and all Canadian air carriers on this issue
since 2014 and are delighted to see these demands
become regulation. We are grateful to The
Honourable Minister Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, who has been
supportive from the very beginning; the officials at Transport Canada, who have
worked tirelessly with us; and the Canadian Transportation Agency.”

The Canadian Office of the AFM will issue a Canadian Flying
Guide over the coming weeks to further assist musicians flying with
instruments. Each airline also will have clear guidelines
published as part of their tariff. Under the Obligation to Carry
amendments, all commercial airline carriers must accept musical
instruments as checked or carry-on baggage, unless it is contrary to general
terms and conditions in the carrier’s tariff with respect to the weight or
dimension of baggage or because of safety or security.

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At 6:59 pm Monday evening, September 9, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) management issued a “take it or leave it” offer to the BSO Musicians which will be presented to the orchestra for a vote this evening, September 10. The proposal contained wage and benefit cuts of 20%. The federal mediators proposed an extension of negotiations […]

At 6:59 pm Monday evening, September 9, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) management issued a “take it or leave it” offer to the BSO Musicians which will be presented to the orchestra for a vote this evening, September 10. The proposal contained wage and benefit cuts of 20%. The federal mediators proposed an extension of negotiations […]